Architecture in the Elizabethan England.

   Something that really called my attention is the way castles, churches,houses and all buildings were designed and built.

   For many people today, houses are not only places to live; they are status symbols. This is the same way homes and buildings in general in the Elizabethan period were looked upon and judged: as signs of social class and personal status. 



   There were several types of homes in this period: royal works, great houses, smaller country homes, and farmhouses. As in modern day times, much of a person's choice of a home depended on his income and the social class with which he was associated. The kings and queens had the royal works, which were usually spread for miles, as far as the human eye could see. The upper-class, usually doctors or business men, had what was known as great homes. These were not as outlandish and extraordinary as the royal works but were definitely very large and quite nice. 



   The smaller country homes were usually owned by the merchants and craftsmen (tradesmen). Lastly, there were the farmhouses, which most of the time were occupied by farmers and their families.  



   The most distinctive feature in the great houses was the use of classical symmetry. This was the Elizabethan visual expression of order and harmony. An example of this use of symmetry is found in Hardwick Hall, located in Derbyshire. 

 






This two-storey building,
designed by Robert Smythson, was mirrored in a shape of an 'H', which gave the hall a perfect sense of balance.

   The smaller country homes were most commonly under the ownership of crafts men and tradesmen. These homes were not only nice and cozy, but were also very inexpensive to build because they often were built from materials that the owners already had. These homes were usually two stories with a kitchen, family room, and several bedrooms. Some people feel that the small country homes are just as beautiful as the large royal works of the century. These houses were by far much more commonplace than the huge and extravagant homes of the royalty and the others who were solely concerned with the social status shown by their houses.

   In my personal opinion, the Elizabethan Architecture is very neat and beautiful. All buildings, even the small ones, are surrounded by some sort of reserved ambiance, full of details. This shows how careful were architects and builders.
On the other hand, I don't really think buildings should be a feature for classifying people.

 

Common Elizabethan House.